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  Texas Rangers’ Josh Smith (8) is tagged out at the plate by Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe (14) in the tenth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  Third base umpire Adrian Johnson and Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington (37) have words in the 13th inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien (2) and right fielder Adolis Garcia (53) collide while chasing ball hit by Los Angeles Angels Taylor Ward in the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  Los Angeles Angels’ Jo Adell steals second as Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) makes the tag late in the ninth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  Los Angeles Angels Taylor Ward (3) celebrates in the dugout after a solo home run against the Texas Rangers in the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  Texas Rangers’ Marcus Semien breaks his bat on a ground out to third base against the Los Angeles Angels in the tenth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jose Urena delivers against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval (43) delivers against the against the Texas Rangers in the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien loses the pickoff throw as Los Angeles Angels Mickey Moniak (16) steals second in the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval (43) delivers against the against the Texas Rangers in the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien tosses the ball to first in an attempt to get the out on Los Angeles Angels Mickey Moniak in the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Moniak was safe on an error by pitcher Jose Urena. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  Texas Rangers Robbie Grossman (4) celebrates the home run by Adolis Garcia, right, against the Los Angeles Angels in the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  Los Angeles Angels Taylor Ward (3) runs the bases after a solo home run against the Texas Rangers in the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Angels came up with clutch pitches and defensive plays, but no clutch hits.

The Angels were hitless in 18 at-bats with runners in scoring position in their 3-2, 13-inning loss to the Texas Rangers on Saturday, wasting a strong start from Patrick Sandoval.

Right-hander Carson Fulmer, working his second inning of the night, hit Nathaniel Lowe with a pitch with the bases loaded to push home the winning run.

The only runs the Angels managed were solo homers from Taylor Ward and Jo Adell, who hit a tie-breaking homer in the seventh.

“It’s very frustrating,” said Zach Neto, who struck out to strand runners in scoring position in the ninth and 12th innings. “I gotta be better myself. I had opportunities but just didn’t come through. It’s the game of baseball.”

Neto was responsible for one of the Angels’ 11 hitless opportunities with the automatic runner aboard in extra innings. Their 18 hitless at-bats with runners in scoring position was their most since 1997.

“If we get this opportunity again next time, I feel like we’ll have a better understanding of how to handle it,” Neto said. “Hopefully I can do better myself with runners in scoring position, but it’s a learning experience.”

At least the Angels could take some solace in the fact that their pitching and defense were both good enough to win on most nights.

In the 10th, Adell threw out Josh Smith at the plate to preserve the tie.

“That was awesome,” manager Ron Washington said. “That was a beautiful throw that Adell made.”

In the 12th, second baseman Luis Guillorme made a nice snag of a line drive for the first out. He then fielded a sharp grounder to start an inning-ending double play. Third baseman Luis Rengifo made a diving catch of a line drive with the winning run at third in the 13th, just before the winning run.

Earlier in the game, first baseman Nolan Schanuel had a defensive gem when he ran far into foul territory to make an over-the-shoulder catch of a popup.

On the mound, Sandoval gave up one run in six innings, continuing to show progress after a rough start to his season. He now has a 3.03 ERA over his last five starts.

One of the keys throughout Sandoval’s run of improvement has been an emphasis on his slider and changeup, and he threw both pitches effectively against the Rangers.

The Rangers whiffed on nine of 19 swings against Sandoval’s changeup. The only run he allowed came on an Adolis García homer on a Sandoval changeup in the sixth, though.

“I’m finally pitching the way I want to pitch, throwing the way I know is effective for me,” Sandoval said.

Washington said Sandoval’s changeup and slider have been keys, and he even had better command with his fastball on Saturday.

“I just wish we could have gotten some runs on the board for him,” Washington said. “He deserved a better fate.”

The Angels still had a 2-1 lead when the bullpen took over in the seventh. The Rangers tied the game with a run on a sacrifice fly against Luis Garcia in the eighth.

“G was mad at himself for giving up that one run,” Washington said, “but one run in a ballgame is hard to hang on to. All kinds of freaky stuff can happen.”

Neither team was able to mount any sort of sustained offense, so it wasn’t surprising the way the game ended. Washington had intentionally walked Corey Seager to load the bases for Lowe just before he was hit on the shin by a pitch.

Washington said it was a “very easy” decision to walk Seager. He had done the same thing, but with only a runner at second, in the 11th inning.

“I wasn’t going to let Seager beat us,” Washington said.

He couldn’t keep the Rangers from eventually winning anyway, though.

“One of those nights,” Washington said. “We just didn’t get it done. That’s all. We had more opportunities than them. That’s for sure. We just didn’t get it done. It’s tough when you go that far and have that many opportunities and don’t cash them in.”

Calhoun, a 29-year-old the Angels signed to a minor-league deal over the winter, had four hits Friday night to raise his average to .365 and his OPS to .959 in his first 13 games with the Angels.

“Willie Calhoun, when he was a youngster, was a pretty good hitter,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “And for some reason, along the way, he lost his way. Hopefully we found the Willie Calhoun that everyone thought he was when he was a baby.”

Calhoun was a top prospect coming up in the Dodgers’ system and became the key piece in the 2017 trade that sent Yu Darvish from the Texas Rangers to the Dodgers.

Around that time, though, Calhoun was just starting to hit for more power in the minors, which may have turned out to be a curse.

“I was always a gap-to-gap guy,” Calhoun said. “I lost that approach when I got (to the majors with the Rangers) and started trying to chase power instead of letting it naturally flow … It really obviously never worked out for me.”

Calhoun hit 11 homers in the Dodgers’ system in 2015, but that jumped to 27 in 2016. His slugging percentage actually was lower in 2016 than 2015, though, the result of a much lower batting average.

Calhoun hit 31 homers in the minors and majors in the season when he was traded. Although he peaked with 21 homers in the majors in 2019, Calhoun was largely a disappointment in his Rangers years. His OPS was .707 with the Rangers.

He bounced around the majors over the past few years. When he signed with the Angels over the winter, he was reunited with hitting coach Johnny Washington, who worked with him in the Dodgers’ system.

“He knew my swing from when I was coming up, so I sat down with him right away in spring training and told him I wanted to get back to that guy I was coming up in the minor leagues,” Calhoun said. “I viewed myself a doubles guy. I never viewed myself as a power guy, but I kind of got suckered into trying to chase it.

“When you get up here, you want to do so good and take off right away, but everyone’s timing is different. Some people find out later in their careers, as they get older, what works for them. I feel like that’s what’s been clicking for me, even down in Salt Lake.”

EYES ON SORIANO

Right-hander José Soriano, who has thrown 38 2/3 major-league innings this season, is likely to surpass last year’s big-league innings total Sunday, when he makes his eighth start of the season.

Within a month, he will pass last year’s total, including the 23 1/3 minor league innings.

For a pitcher who had his second Tommy John surgery in 2021, all of that could be a cause for concern.

General manager Perry Minasian said the Angels aren’t ready to talk about any sort of innings management for Soriano, though.

“We’re still a long ways away from that,” Minasian said Saturday. “For us, it’s monitor every start, monitor in between starts, the side work, what he’s doing in the weight room, how he’s recovering. We do that with all of our guys. So it’s nothing special just for him.

“But he’s pretty diligent with his work. We’ll go start to start. Just kind of see where he’s at.”

Minasian said that he doesn’t have a general opinion on the wisdom of innings limits.

“I’ve been in places where we’ve been very, very protective of guys and limited and done everything we could to keep guys healthy and it still didn’t work,” he said. “I don’t necessarily think it’s black and white. I think it’s more individually based. We’ll continue to communicate with him and monitor him and see where it goes.”

NOTES

Right-hander Zac Kristofak recently underwent Tommy John surgery. His injury was the reason the Angels, by rule, had to release him instead of outrighting him and keeping him in the organization. Minasian said it was all procedural, and they are working on bringing Kristofak back on a minor-league deal. …

Ron Washington said he was critical of Luis Rengifo for not being out for early work Friday, which was his first day off the injured list. Rengifo  assured Washington that he was prepared, and then had a double and a walk. “I had to eat it,” Washington said with a smile.

UP NEXT

Angels (RHP José Soriano, 1-4, 3.72) vs. Rangers (RHP Michael Lorenzen, 2-2, 3.75) at Globe Life Field, 11:35 a.m. PT Sunday, Bally Sports West, 830 AM.

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  The Angels’ Willie Calhoun is congratulated after scoring during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  The Texas Rangers’ Jonah Heim hits a home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Angels in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Angels left fielder Taylor Ward tries but can’t get to a home run ball off the bat of Jonah Heim of the Texas Rangers (not pictured) during the second inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  The Texas Rangers’ Jonah Heim, right, celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Angels during the second inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  The Texas Rangers’ Ezequiel Duran reacts after popping up against the Angels during the second inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Angels in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  The Angels’ Luis Rengifo (2) beats the tag while stealing second against Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien, left, during the third inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  The Angels’ Luis Rengifo slides into home plate to score on a single by teammate Kevin Pillar during the third inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  The Angels’ Luis Rengifo celebrates with teammates after scoring a run during the third inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Angels in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  The Angels’ Kevin Pillar steals third base against Texas Rangers third base Josh Smith (8) during the third inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. Anderson allowed one run in seven innings in a 9-3 win. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney pitches against the Angels at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  The Angels’ Zach Neto hits a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  The Angels’ Zach Neto celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  The Angels’ Zach Neto (9) celebrates after his home run with third base coach Eric Young Sr. (85) while running the bases during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  The Angels’ Zach Neto, left, is congratulated at the dugout by Manager Ron Washington, center, and teammate Willie Calhoun after hitting a home run that also scored teammate Jo Adell during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  The Angels’ Zach Neto celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager, right, tries to turn a double play as the Angels’ Willie Calhoun is out at second base, allowing teammate Jo Adell to be safe at first base, during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, left, pulls starting pitcher Andrew Heaney, right, as catcher Jonah Heim, center, looks on during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Angels in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Texas Rangers relief pitcher Grant Anderson pitches against the Angels during the fifth inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. Anderson allowed one run in seven innings in a 9-3 win. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson, right, makes a point with umpire Adrian Johnson (80) during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Angels outfielder Taylor Ward catches a fly ball after waving off teammate Luis Rengifo during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws to the plate during the sixth inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Angels manager Ron Washington watches from the dugout during a game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson, left, sits in the dugout after completing the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Texas Rangers relief pitcher Shaun Anderson pitches against the Angels during the seventh inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  The Angels’ Taylor Ward singles during the eighth inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Angels relief pitcher Hunter Strickland throws to the plate during the eighth inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Angels left fielder Taylor Ward leaps but can’t get to a home run ball off the bat of the Texas Rangers’ Marcus Semien (not pictured) during the eighth inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Angels relief pitcher Matt Moore throws to the plate during the eighth inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Angels closer Carson Fulmer winds up to throw during ninth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Angels relief pitcher Carson Fulmer throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Angels relief pitcher Carson Fulmer, left, and catcher Logan O’Hoppe celebrate their team’s victory over the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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  Angels manager Ron Washington, center, brings out the lineup before the team’s baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy looks out from the field before a baseball game against the Angels in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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  Angels manager Ron Washington walks on the field before a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

ARLINGTON, Texas — Each time the Angels play a solid game in this disappointing season, Manager Ron Washington says he’s expecting to eventually see those performances with more consistency.

This is a start. They’ve now managed a two-game winning “streak” each of the last two weeks.

The Angels beat the Texas Rangers, 9-3, on Friday night with an impressive all-around performance, after beating the St. Louis Cardinals by five runs on Wednesday. Last week’s two-game winning streak, which was their first since the opening week of the season, came against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

On Saturday, the Angels will have a shot at their first three-game winning streak since they won their fourth in a row on April 3.

None of that means much at this point, but the Angels (17-28) will take any encouraging signs they can get.

“I hope so,” Washington said when asked if this could be the start of consistently better baseball. “And it all starts with the pitching.”

Angels starter Tyler Anderson gave up one run in seven innings, beating the defending World Series champions.

Zach Neto and Taylor Ward hit homers. All told, the Angels had 14 hits, with eight of their nine starters collecting at least one. Five players drove in runs.

“The guys are starting to swing the bats,” Washington said. “Each night we don’t have to put up nine but at least give ourselves an opportunity by swinging those bats.”

Neto’s two-run homer in the fourth inning put the Angels on top to stay. He started the season slowly but has now hit .319 with a .907 OPS since May 4. He has hit three of his five homers in that span.

“He’s feeling good about himself,” Washington said, “and he should feel good about himself because he’s been doing some good things on the offensive side, starting to come around. And we need it.”

Ward blasted his ninth homer of the season.

In between the homers, the Angels broke the game open with a three-run fifth that included RBI hits from Willie Calhoun and Kyren Paris.

Calhoun had a career-high four hits, improving to .365 with a .959 OPS in 13 games with the Angels.

“He’s working every day,” Washington said of Calhoun. “He’s applying to things that he’s supposed to be doing in the box. And it’s just been awesome to watch him swinging that bat. He’s finally swinging the bat with consistency. He keeps the hitting going. And that’s what we have to do. We’ve just got to keep innings going.”

The offensive outburst allowed Anderson to cruise through the Texas lineup without much trouble.

Anderson has now improved his ERA to 2.72 through nine starts, a dramatic improvement from the 5.43 mark he posted in the first year of his three-year, $39 million deal with the Angels.

Anderson gave up a homer to Jonah Heim in the second. The Rangers had runners at second and third when he escaped that inning.

Starting with the final out of the second, Anderson retired 15 hitters in a row. He ended up allowing only two hits, both in the second inning.

“I didn’t feel great about my stuff in general, but just trying to compete and keep us in the game, give us a chance,” Anderson said. “Just tried to mix and move the ball around a little bit. Speed them up. Slow them down. After the second inning, I started throwing some better changeups. Started to get my fastball to some better spots. Just trying to attack and get in the zone as much as I could.”

The Angels are one of the teams that uses a Trajekt pitching machine, which replicates the precise repertoire of any pitcher. A hitter can see video of the pitcher, and then the ball comes out with velocity, break and spin to mimic the real thing.

The Angels, though, had their starting pitchers stand in the box against themselves. The point was to provide a confidence boost that their stuff is good enough to attack the strike zone.

Right-hander José Soriano, who throws a 101 mph fastball and a knuckle curve, laughed as he was recalling the experience.

“Wow, it’s amazing,” Soriano said through an interpreter. “I knew my pitches were good, but when I faced myself, I find out they’re really good. So I have more trust in my stuff now.”

The Angels rank 29th in the majors in first-pitch strikes, despite . Angels pitchers rank third in the majors in whiff rate on pitches in the strike zone, which is an indication that their raw stuff should be good enough to be effective within the zone.

That contrast has puzzled Angels coaches as they’ve . The Trajekt is the latest attempt at a solution.

“It was a cool experience,” left-hander Patrick Sandoval said of facing himself. “Hitting is hard. It was cool to get that perspective.”

Left-hander Reid Detmers said he walked away from the experience learning how difficult it is for the hitter to pick up a difference in spin from his different pitches.

Right-hander Griffin Canning said seeing his stuff from that perspective also helped him to know how different pitches play off each other.

“The point is you don’t want to give hitters too much credit sometimes,” Canning said. “You stand in there and see that your stuff is good.”

The Angels are planning to have their relievers take turns seeing themselves on the machine when they return home.

A NEW ARM

Manager Ron Washington said the Angels aren’t sure how they’ll use right-hander Roansy Contreras, who was acquired in a trade Thursday after he was designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Washington said Contreras could be used for up to two innings.

Contreras, 24, had a 4.41 ERA in 16⅓ innings this season with the Pirates. Although he also struggled last season, in 2022 he posted a 3.79 ERA in 95 innings.

TRIAL DATE SET

The wrongful death lawsuit filed against the Angels by the family of Tyler Skaggs is now scheduled for trial starting April 7, 2025.

The trial had been planned for October 2023, but was delayed because of various legal maneuvers and a backlog in the court system.

Skaggs died in 2019 after ingesting fentanyl, a synthetic opioid. Former Angels communications staffer Eric Kay to Skaggs and in prison. The Angels are now being sued by the family, which claims the team knew, or should have known, enough about the drug use to prevent his death.

NOTES

Luis Rengifo was back in the lineup, hitting second and playing third base, on Friday. Rengifo had been out for two weeks because of a virus. “One of our best players is back,” Washington said. “He really was before he left. I’m quite sure there will be some rust, but he will fight through it. We’re happy to have him in the lineup and on the field.” …

Right-hander Sam Bachman (shoulder surgery) was scheduled to face hitters in a 25-pitch session Friday in Arizona. …

Infielder Michael Stefanic (quadriceps strain) has played three games so far in his rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League. He is scheduled to play five innings at third base Saturday. …

Right-hander Guillermo Zuñiga (right pectoral strain) is scheduled for his third outing Saturday in the Arizona Complex League.

UP NEXT

Angels (LHP Patrick Sandoval, 2-6, 5.00 ERA) at Rangers (RHP José Ureña, 1-3, 3.62 ERA) Saturday, 4:15 p.m. PT, FOX (Ch. 11), 830 AM

You shouldn’t.

If you’re a fan of the ball club, you feel hoodwinked. Duped and demoralized.

But please, don’t.

C’mon, you say. You heard Perry Minasian, the club’s general manager, say the Angels would be “aggressive” in the offseason and you leaned forward in your seat, eager to see what would come next.

You made peace with (what choice did you have?) and took to heart the scuttlebutt about the Angels looking into left-hander Blake Snell and first baseman/center fielder Cody Bellinger in free agency. You got your hopes up that they – or other comparable free agents – would end up in Anaheim this year, competent complements to (now injured) Mike Trout.

And then you watched the Angels’ biggest offseason . A shrug of a $33 million-over-three-seasons acquisition of a pitcher who is injured and has yet to take the mound for the club .

How are you supposed to be OK with that?

Because it’s going to be OK. Or, well, it could be OK – if the Angels lean all the way into the long game, which will require them (and you) to embrace the stink.

To accept the painful part of the growing pains happening now and for the foreseeable future.

To give these young guys – Nolan Schanuel and Logan O’Hoppe, Zach Neto and Mickey Moniak, Jo Adell and Reid Detmers – some grace, to take some solace in their small victories.

To be OK with the type of delayed gratification you plan for instead of begrudgingly being forced to accept in real time, year after year.

Just because a team doesn’t climb atop the roof with a megaphone – testing, one, two, testing! – to proclaim a rebuild is a rebuild doesn’t mean it isn’t one.

Especially when you have Manager Ron Washington all but spelling it out: “I want to see us win more ball games, but you have to learn to do that, and this group I have, they are learning how to win,” he said before , a teaser of what his group is capable of doing.

“I recognize an ‘Aha!’ moment every single day,” Washington added. “They all have skill, they all do something out there on certain nights that you go, ‘Wow, I wish he learned how to consistently do that.’ But they just haven’t gotten the chance to do it yet – and now they have that chance, so we just gotta be patient. Gotta be patient.”

And I know I’m testing your patience now, Angels fan, because how can anyone expect you to put stock in a full-fledged youth movement when the club’s farm system smells like a farm; it stinks too!

It’s been well-chronicled, how behind the Angels’ developmental system is. So no matter which experts are doing the gauging, , or , no one ranks it better than 28th of 30.

In 2022, Southern California ɫ����̳ Group’s Jeff Fletcher into the array of developmental issues keeping the Angels from their goal, which, as Minasian once put it, is “to consistently put a contending product on the field.”

The Angels – who instead have had consistently losing seasons since 2015 – haven’t had suitable backup depth to fill gaps when their major leaguers get hurt. They haven’t had enough sufficiently tradable prospects to get the deals done. They haven’t had the technological capabilities to keep up with opponents, or the philosophical conviction on which to follow through.

And we all know why. It wasn’t a priority for club owner Arte Moreno.

“The genesis of the (player development problem) was Arte’s unwillingness to make big investments in that area,” a . “As Arte starts to get more and more excited by the ideas of flashy free agent signings, from (Bartolo) Colon to (Vladimir) Guerrero and leading to everybody since, there was just a shift in spending behavior or how the money was allocated.”’

Moreno has tried eating his cake and wanting more too; it hasn’t worked. Even with greats like Ohtani and Trout on the roster.

I don’t know what Trout’s appetite for it might be, but it’s time to bake this thing from scratch. Whatever Minasian needs, from personnel to technological upgrades to, yes, a contract extension past this season, give it to him.

Pick a lane – Minsasian’s “winning is a skill” concept – and live there; trust that your line of cars will start moving eventually.

Nurture guys like Neto while he grows up, this plucky 23-year-old Floridian, the 13th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft who’s now in his second Major League season.

He showed up early to the ballpark Wednesday with a smile, never mind the Angels’ poor record and three consecutive losses. Spotted his manager and told him: “Look who just got here? Big Papa!” And then went and drilled a home run over the left field wall before sidling up to Washington – told you so!

Zach Neto gets one back for the Angels with this home run! Pads the lead and puts the Angels up 4 again!

5-1 Halos!

— Locked On Angels (@LockedOnAngels)

“Whether we win or lose, just keep coming to work and making it fun,” Neto said Wednesday night after the Angels (16-28) won at home for just the sixth time in 22 tries this season, a baby step in what will likely be a long and arduous process – if the Angels do it right.

“Just keep believing in each other, keep going out there every day, just keep grinding for each other. This game’s hard and we’re playing really good teams. … It’s just a matter of us being in those situations where we get to grow as players.”

Pan out, step back, commit to the bit and the Angels and their fans could learn to like the sound of that – despite this season’s stink.

The Angels are 16-28. It equals the second-worst start in franchise history, better only than their 14-30 record in 1969.

While it has been disappointing for the Angels and their fans, it should not be a surprise to anyone.

The Angels are here because of decisions they made, starting with owner Arte Moreno.

The Angels won 73 games last season and then lost Shohei Ohtani, who was both their best pitcher and best hitter. They did not replace him with either a frontline pitcher or hitter.

That was the result of Moreno’s decision to cut payroll. The Angels’ payroll, as it’s calculated for the luxury tax, was around $233 million in 2023, and it’s around $191 million for 2024, .

Moreno that his plan was to “set the budget lower. … I’m not going to spend money just to show that we’re going to spend money unless it’s going to substantially change the team.”

Moreno said in that same interview that he was excited by the young players.

“I am in it because I believe we can build a team to win,” he said.

In order to win in 2024, the Angels needed significant development from their young core and improved health from their veterans.

Whether that was a realistic expectation or an overly optimistic fantasy, it’s clear that neither has happened so far.

Injuries have once again decimated the roster. Four of the 13 position players who were on the Opening Day roster are now on the injured list, including the three with the biggest salaries: Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon and Brandon Drury. (They could get Miguel Sanó back in the next few days.)

The result has been a lineup that regularly includes players who were recently released or designated for assignment by other teams.

The Angels lost starting pitcher Chase Silseth, which resulted in José Soriano moving from the bullpen to the rotation. They , who was their biggest acquisition of the winter. The top three experienced relievers remaining – Carlos Estévez, Matt Moore and Luis Garcia – have all underperformed.

As for the young players the Angels hoped would improve, is the only one who has done so. Shortstop Zach Neto, left-hander Reid Detmers and catcher Logan O’Hoppe – arguably the top three young players on the roster – are all essentially who they were last year. First baseman Nolan Schanuel didn’t play enough last season for anyone to really know what he could be this season, and he’s been understandably inconsistent.

Left-hander Patrick Sandoval, right-hander Griffin Canning and outfielder Taylor Ward have all lived up exactly to their career expectations. They have shown flashes of their potential, but with struggles in between.

All of the aforementioned players have clearly demonstrated the talent to be quality major leaguers, pieces of a winning team. Some nights they show it, like in their impressive .

Many other days have been like Monday () or Tuesday (), when they did plenty of things right, but just enough wrong to end up with a list of what-ifs and almosts that lead to a loss.

The Angels rank 14th in the majors in OPS (.704), 15th in runs per game (4.27), 28th in ERA (4.77), 24th in starter ERA (4.50), 30th in reliever ERA (5.17) and 26th in FanGraphs defensive runs saved (-14).

According to FanGraphs, the Angels have a 1.5% chance to make the playoffs. Baseball-reference has them at 0.1%.

Despite all of that, Angels manager Ron Washington talks optimistically every day about the long-term trajectory of the team.

“I evaluate it by the growth,” Washington said. “Adell’s growing up. Neto is growing up. Our pitching staff is growing up. O’Hoppe is growing up. That’s how I evaluate it. This is a learning curve for those young kids. And they are experiencing what it takes to win. When we lose a ballgame, we got education, and our education is what it may have taken to win that game. And we do have quality in there to do that. But we just gotta keep driving. You gotta learn. They’re getting better. It may not look like it in the record, but they are getting better. We are playing so much better baseball than we were earlier. Now we just gotta keep grinding. The victories are going to come.”

ROSTER MOVES

The Angels activated infielder Luis Rengifo on Thursday, marking the first time this season that anyone has returned from the injured list. Rengifo had been out with a virus. The Angels created a spot for Rengifo by optioning infielder Niko Goodrum.

The Angels also acquired right-hander Roansy Contreras from the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations. Contreras, 24, had been designated for assignment by the Pirates. He had a 4.41 ERA with 16 strikeouts and eight walks in 16-1/3 innings.

The Angels had a spot open from optioning right-hander Davis Daniel, who they called up to provide some bullpen coverage that they ended up not needing on Wednesday. The Angels had an open spot on the 40-man roster after they designated left-hander Amir Garrett for assignment on Wednesday.

UP NEXT

Angels (LHP Tyler Anderson, 3-4, 2.92 ERA) at Rangers (LHP Andrew Heaney, 0-4, 4.39 ERA), Friday, 5:05 p.m. PT, Bally Sports West, 830 AM

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  The Angels’ Nolan Schanuel is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of their game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  Angels starting pitcher Griffin Canning throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn throws to the plate during the first inning of a game against the Angels on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The Angels’ Nolan Schanuel, right, hits a solo home run as St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera watches during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The Angels’ Nolan Schanuel, center, celebrates as he heads to second after hitting a solo home run as St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, left, looks on during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The Angels’ Nolan Schanuel, left, gestures as he scores after hitting a solo home run as St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera stands by during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The Angels’ Nolan Schanuel is congratulated in the dugout after a solo home run in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 15, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn throws to the plate during the first inning of a game against the Angels on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The Angels’ Kevin Pillar, right, scores on a wild pitch by St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn as catcher Ivan Herrera, left, takes a late throw while Mickey Moniak watches during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The Angels’ Kevin Pillar, right, scores on a wild pitch by St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn, left, during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Injured Angels star Mike Trout yawns in the dugout during the first inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 15, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  The Angels’ Willie Calhoun hits an RBI double in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 15, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  The Angels’ Luis Guillorme, below, scores as St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera is unable to reach a high throw after a double by Willie Calhoun during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The Angels’ Luis Guillorme is greeted in the dugout after scoring on a double by Willie Calhoun (not pictured) in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 15, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn, center, checks the ball as he waits with catcher Ivan Herrera, right, on the mound for pitching coach Dusty Blake after giving up four runs in the first inning against the Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 15, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  Angels starting pitcher Griffin Canning throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  Angels left fielder Taylor Ward makes a running catch on a ball hit by Lars Nootbaar of the St. Louis Cardinals in the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 15, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt fields a ground ball hit by the Angels’ Willie Calhoun during the third inning of a game Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. Calhoun was thrown out at first on the play. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Alec Burleson makes a catch on a ball hit by the Angels’ Mickey Moniak during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Angels starting pitcher Griffin Canning throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  Angels second baseman Kyren Paris catches a ball in foul territory during the fourth inning of their game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 15, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  The St. Louis Cardinals’ Masyn Winn beats the tag by Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel as he touches first base in the fifth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 15, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  Angels starting pitcher Griffin Canning, right, throws out the St. Louis Cardinals’ Michael Siani, left, at first during the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Michael Siani makes a catch on a ball hit by the Angels’ Taylor Ward during the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Michael Siani makes a running catch of a ball hit by the Angels’ Taylor Ward (not pictured) in the fifth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 15, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  The St. Louis Cardinals’ Paul Goldschmidt is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning against the Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 15, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  Angels center fielder Mickey Moniak makes a sliding catch of a ball hit by the St. Louis Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado in the sixth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 15, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  The Angels’ Zach Neto hits a solo home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The Angels’ Zach Neto, right, drops his bat after hitting a solo home run as St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera, left, and home plate umpire Larry Vanover watch during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The Angels’ Zach Neto gestures as he heads to second after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The Angels’ Taylor Ward heads to first after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The Angels’ Zach Neto, right, places an illuminated halo on Taylor Ward after Ward hit a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Angels relief pitcher Carlos Estevez throws to the plate during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Angels relief pitcher Carlos Estevez gestures after the Angels defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 7-2 in a baseball game Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Angels outfielders Taylor Ward, left, Mickey Moniak, center, and Kevin Pillar celebrate after the final out of their victory over the St. Louis Cardinals at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 15, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  A C-17 flies over as members of the Angels, left, and members of the military watch during Military Appreciation Night prior to a game between the Angels and the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Angels starting pitcher Griffin Canning takes the field before their game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM — Griffin Canning continued his early-season turnaround on a night when the Angels finally put everything together.

Canning pitched six strong innings in the Angels’ 7-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, a game that included home runs from Nolan Schanuel, Zach Neto and Taylor Ward.

The Angels (16-28) snapped their three-game losing streak with one of their best all-around performances of the season.

“That’s what we’re all about,” Neto said. “That’s what we were all about in spring training and early in the year. Play the game right and the game will reward you. If you do the little things right, big things will happen.”

It began with Canning, who gave up one run to improve his ERA to 1.53 over his last three starts. He has dropped his season ERA from 7.45 to 5.12.

“He’s getting ahead of hitters, commanding his fastball, being able to land his off speed stuff behind in the count, using it early to get ahead,” Manager Ron Washington said. “He’s really pitching right now.”

Canning said one of the improvements he’s made recently has been focusing on simply winning the competition against the hitter, as opposed to thinking about what mechanics can produce the perfect pitch.

“Just just trying to focus on being on the attack,” Canning said. “Just me vs. the hitter, just trying to force contact and not shy away from it.”

Sure enough, Canning faced a few big moments in which the game required him to win a key confrontation.

In the first inning, Lars Nootbaar doubled with one out, but Canning then struck out Paul Goldschmidt and got Nolan Arenado on a grounder.

Canning got left-handed hitting Brendan Donovan on a fly ball in the fourth, stranding two runners. The Cardinals had a runner at second with one and the top of the order due in the fifth, but he retired Matt Carpenter and Nootbaar to escape.

Canning ended his night by striking out Donovan on a changeup, his fifth strikeout of the night.

Relievers Matt Moore and Luis Garcia, who were two of the pitchers who participated in the , got through the seventh and eighth. Garcia gave up one run.

Even though the Angels had a five-run lead, closer Carlos Estévez pitched the ninth because he had not pitched in the previous four days and the Angels are off on Thursday.

Canning and the relievers had a cushion because the Angels jumped on Cardinals right-hander Lance Lynn early.

Schanuel led off the game with his fourth homer.

Luis Guillorme, , dumped a single into left field. It was the first of his two hits, to go along with two walks.

An out later, Willie Calhoun drove him in with a double, which was the first of his three hits. Calhoun is hitting .319 in his first 12 games with the Angels.

Calhoun scored on Kevin Pillar’s infield hit. Pillar then scored on a wild pitch, giving the Angels a 4-0 lead.

Neto hit his fourth homer of the season in the sixth inning, putting the Angels up 5-1. An inning later Ward hit his eighth homer to pad the lead.

“It started with Schanuel,” Washington said. “We strung some hits together. We didn’t waver from the first inning till the end. It was a nice win for everyone.”

His experience is why he sounds so confident.

“I’ve been in this situation before,” he said.

Each of the four times that Washington joined a major league staff – with the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves and twice with the Oakland A’s – the team was lousy when he arrived, but improved significantly within a few years.

Washington’s first year with the A’s was 1996. Although that team only lost 86 games, they fell to 97 by the next season. The A’s contended in 1999 and remained consistent winners through the end of his time there in 2006.

The 2007 Rangers started out 19-35 on their way to an 87-loss season. They had a winning record by 2009 and became annual contenders in 2010, including two straight pennants.

Washington returned to coach third base for the A’s in 2015-16. They lost at least 93 games both of those seasons, but went to the playoffs three years in a row, from 2018-20.

Washington’s first year in Atlanta was 2017, and that Braves team started 11-20 on its way to 90 losses. The next season they won 90, starting a streak of six straight postseason appearances. The Braves won the 2021 World Series.

Whether anyone believes the Angels will be on a similar trajectory, Washington says his current team is building.

“You guys just don’t see the little bitty increments in growth that these guys are having,” Washington said. “Sometimes it takes a while for them to figure it out. Because all of a sudden you hit a situation in the ballgame where the first five or six innings they were so relaxed, and then that same situation hits in the seventh inning when something has to be made, all of a sudden something kicks in and they have to work their way through that.

“I’m happy with the way we’ve been playing. I’m like you guys. I want to see us win more ballgames. But you have to learn to do that. And this group I have, they are learning how to win. … At some point, I do believe it’s gonna start kicking in. I have no doubt about it.”

REINFORCEMENTS

The Angels are planning on infielder Luis Rengifo being activated on Friday. Rengifo has been out with a virus. He was hitting .330 with an .839 OPS before he went on the injured list.

Infielder Miguel Sanó, who has been out with knee inflammation, is headed to Arizona to see some live pitching at the Angels’ spring training complex. Sanó said he’s expecting to be activated sometime during the upcoming trip to Texas and Houston.

“It’s going to be nice when we can get those power bats back to our lineup,” Washington said.

NOTES

A day after , Washington was given the opportunity to “clarify” his decision or any of his postgame comments. “There’s no clarification of what I saw,” Washington said. “Everybody here saw what I saw. I made a comment. That’s it.” …

Right-hander Chase Silseth (elbow inflammation) also went to Arizona to continue his rehab. Silseth threw his first bullpen session on Tuesday. He could face hitters in about a week. …

The Angels designated left-hander Amir Garrett for assignment. Garrett, who gave up the go-ahead two-run homer on Tuesday night, gave up three runs in 5⅓ innings. He struck out 11 and walked five. The Angels recalled right-hander Davis Daniel to take Garrett’s spot. …

Jo Adell was not in the lineup on Wednesday, snapping a streak of 21 consecutive games that he started in right field. Washington said it was a good time to give him the chance to get two straight days off, including Thursday’s scheduled off day.

UP NEXT

Angels (LHP Tyler Anderson, 3-4, 2.92 ERA) at Rangers (LHP Andrew Heaney, 0-4, 4.39 ERA), Friday, 5:05 p.m. PT, Bally Sports West, 830 AM

• 

  Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers throws to the plate during the second inning of their game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The St. Louis Cardinals’ Brendan Donovan celebrates and gestures to his dugout after hitting a double during the first inning of their game against the Angels on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

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  St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Angels on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Injured Angels star Mike Trout sits in the dugout during the first inning of their game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

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  The St. Louis Cardinals’ Nolan Gorman, right, dives into second base as he tags up from first after Pedro Pages lined out as Angels second baseman Kyren Paris takes a late throw during the second inning on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The St. Louis Cardinals’ Nolan Gorman, right, scores after Michael Siani hit into a fielder’s choice as Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe dives after an errant throw home during the second inning on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The St. Louis Cardinals’ Paul Goldschmidt, right, steals third base ahead of a throw to Angels third baseman Cole Tucker during the third inning of their game against the Angels on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

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  Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

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  The St. Louis Cardinals’ Pedro Pages hits a three-run double during the third inning of their game against the Angels on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The St. Louis Cardinals’ Dylan Carlson is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after scoring on a three-run double by Pedro Pages during the third inning of their game against the Angels on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Angels on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

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  The Angels’ Logan O’Hoppe hits a three-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  St. Louis Cardinals outfielders Michael Siani, left, and Brendan Donovan watch a ball hit by the Angels’ Logan O’Hoppe clear the fence for a three-run home run during the fourth inning on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The Angels’ Logan O’Hoppe, right, begins to run the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The Angels’ Logan O’Hoppe, right, celebrates with third base coach Eric Young Sr. as he runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the fourth inning of their game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

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  The Angels’ Taylor Ward (3) celebrates with Manager Ron Washington, right, as he returns to the dugout after hitting a sacrifice fly that tied the score during the fifth inning of their game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

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  The St. Louis Cardinals’ Nolan Gorman, left, tags out the Angels’ Luis Guillorme at second base during the fifth inning on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

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  Angels second baseman Kyren Paris can’t handle a ball hit by the St. Louis Cardinals’ Masyn Winn during the sixth inning on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. Winn was safe at first and Michael Siani was forced out at second on the fielder’s choice play. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The St. Louis Cardinals’ Alec Burleson, right, heads to first after hitting a two-run home run as Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe, center, watches during the seventh inning on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The St. Louis Cardinals’ Alec Burleson, right, heads to first after hitting a two-run home run as Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe, center, watches during the seventh inning on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The St. Louis Cardinals’ Alec Burleson, right, is congratulated by teammate Nolan Arenado after hitting a two-run home run during the seventh inning of their game against the Angels on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  The Angels’ Zach Neto, right, is tagged out by St. Louis Cardinals catcher Pedro Pages as he tries to score on a suicide squeeze play during the eighth inning on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. The Angels lost, 7-6. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher JoJo Romero reacts after striking out the Angels’ Luis Guillorme during the eighth inning on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

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  St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Angels on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley reaches for the ball after he was hit by it on a single by the Angels’ Kevin Pillar during the ninth inning on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley gestures after the final out of their 7-6 victory over the Angels on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  St. Louis Cardinals outfielders Brendan Donovan, left, Michael Siani, center, and Lars Nootbaar celebrate after their 7-6 victory over the Angels on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

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  St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, left, catcher Pedro Pagés, center, and relief pitcher Ryan Helsley celebrate after their 7-6 victory over the Angels on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM —That’s why they call it a “suicide” squeeze.

Manager Ron Washington called for the risky play in the eighth inning with the Angels trying to complete what would have been an encouraging comeback, but it blew up in their faces, and the Angels lost, 7-6, to the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night.

With the bases loaded and one out, Zach Neto took off from third as Luis Guillorme squared to bunt. The pitch was well outside and Guillorme couldn’t get the bat on it. Cardinals catcher Pedro Pagés simply tagged Neto. Guillorme then struck out to end the inning.

Washington became agitated as he answered questions about the suicide attempt after the game.

“Sinker ball left-hander,” Washington said. “I didn’t want (Guillorme) to hit into a double play. He can handle the bat. He didn’t do the job. It wasn’t anything I did wrong. He didn’t do the job.”

Washington was then asked if a squeeze is more difficult when a pitcher is not throwing strikes. Cardinals left-hander Jo Jo Romero had walked the previous two hitters, and the pitch that Guillorme tried to bunt was a slider that was well outside.

“Wild?” Washington said. “He was throwing the ball in the strike zone. Why are you making excuses? He was throwing the ball in the strike zone. He did not get the bunt down. Period.”

Guillorme said he’s been asked to bunt plenty of times in his career, and he did the best he could to get this one down.

“He made a good pitch,” Guillorme said. “What else can you say? He made a good pitch. I tried to get the bat on it. I didn’t reach it. It happens. I gotta try to get the bat on it, but he made a good pitch.”

The missed opportunity cost the Angels on a night when they showed some life by overcoming an early five-run deficit to tie the score in the fifth inning.

But left-hander Amir Garrett hung a 3-and-1 slider to left-handed hitter Alec Burleson, who crushed it for a tie-breaking two-run homer in the seventh inning to put the Cardinals back ahead, 7-5.

The Angels got back one of those runs on a Kevin Pillar RBI single in the seventh, but they couldn’t get any more.

The Angels (15-28) lost for the fifth time in their last six games and dropped to 5-16 at home.

This could have been one of their most encouraging victories. Down 5-0 in the third inning, they rallied to tie the score by the fifth.

Nolan Schanuel drove in the third with the first of his two hits. In the fourth, Willie Calhoun and Pillar had singles ahead of a Logan O’Hoppe three-run homer. It was O’Hoppe’s third homer of the season.

The Angels completed the comeback with a run on a Taylor Ward sacrifice fly in the fifth.

“We tried to do something to get back in the game,” Washington said. “It didn’t work in our favor. But other than that, I thought we did a good job of battling and staying in the game, not giving in. We got beat.”

Although they couldn’t rally for the victory, they at least took Reid Detmers off the hook for a loss.

Detmers allowed five runs – four earned – in five innings.

Over his last four starts he has a 10.61 ERA, which has raised his ERA for the season to 5.19. He began the season with a 2.12 ERA in his first five starts.

There were some positives from this one for Detmers.

He threw 69 of his 95 pitches for strikes, which is a very good ratio. He also had slightly more velocity on his fastball than usual.

In the second inning, he gave up two runs, one on a wild pitch and a second when third baseman Cole Tucker made a bad throw on what should have been an out at the plate.

In the third, Detmers loaded the bases with one out – including an infield hit and a walk. He struck out Nolan Gorman for the second out, but then he hung a 3-and-2 curve to Pagés, who yanked a ground ball just inside third base for a three-run double.

At that point the Angels were down 5-0, but the hitters soon came to life and Detmers tacked on two scoreless innings.

“I felt good,” Detmers said. “Obviously the results weren’t what I wanted. But I felt like I pitched a good game, just made really one mistake. I didn’t think it was a bad pitch selection, just bad location the curveball. Other than that, stuff was good. Got ground balls and did pretty much what I wanted to do. Obviously there was some hits here and there, but at the end of the day, I felt pretty good.”

They ranked 29th in the majors in that department on April 22, when the Angels had a meeting to break down what was going wrong.

Since then?

The Angels have been 30th. Dead last.

“We know what we want to do,” Manager Ron Washington said on Tuesday. “We’ve got to do the work to make it happen. We’re talking about it every day. We’re going out and trying to do it. I can’t give you a timetable when it’s really going to kick in. It’s part of our mindset. At some point it will kick in. It just doesn’t kick in as fast as we would like to see it.”

Obviously, a pitcher has a significant advantage if he can get ahead. The major league OPS this season after a 1-and-0 count is .788, compared with .589 after an 0-and-1 count.

The Angels are even more extreme.

The Angels are 11th-best in the majors after an 0-and-1 count, holding opponents to a .574 OPS. When they fall behind, 1-and-0, they’ve allowed an .813 OPS, which is 21st.

“It’s been a struggle,” pitching coach Barry Enright said. “It’s something that we preached since Day One, and did really well in spring training. They still get their printouts (with the stats) every series and we go through it and talk about the strategies behind it.”

Enright said in that meeting some of the pitchers opened up about their fears of getting hit by being so aggressive in the strike zone. They have tried to allay those fears by pointing out that the pitchers’ raw stuff is good enough.

For example, the Angels’ pitchers rank sixth in the majors in getting whiffs on pitches in the zone.

“It’s getting guys to trust those things, because we have plenty of stuff,” Enright said. “It’s still a mystery to me. I can’t put a finger on it, to be honest with you.”

Washington said it’s part of the youth of the staff, particularly among the starters. He remains confidence that they will figure it out.

“We will get to that point, I have no doubt,” Washington said. “We will get to that point where we start pounding the first-pitch strike. They’re trying. They want to. It’s just not happening with the consistency that we would like to see it, because we put it out there and that’s what we tried. It’s a process.”

IMPROVEMENT

Washington said he’s been impressed with what he’s seen from rookie infielder Kyren Paris since he’s been back in the majors.

Although Paris is still just 2 for 11 in the first five games since he’s been back, Washington said he’s seen encouraging signs.

“He looks more relaxed,” Washington said. “He actually looks like all that he’s been through to this point, he’s starting to be able to apply with relaxation. And that’s what it takes to play in the big leagues. You got to be relaxed. He’s got to trust what he’s doing. He looks like he’s starting to do that.”

NOTES

Right-hander Chase Silseth (elbow inflammation) threw his first bullpen session since going on the injured list. Silseth is scheduled for another bullpen session on Friday. If that goes well, he could begin facing hitters around a week later. Silseth is expected to make at least three starts in the minors before he would be considered to be activated. …

Shortstop Zach Neto got a routine day off on Tuesday. Neto had played 41 of the Angels’ first 42 games.

UP NEXT

Cardinals (RHP Lance Lynn, 1–1, 3.79 ERA) at Angels (RHP Griffin Canning, 1-4, 5.75 ERA), Wednesday, 6:07 p.m., Bally Sports West, 830 AM